Clodagh McKenna gives a masterclass in toning down bright colours this spring, thanks to these two staple styles
She looked effortlessly put-together at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this week
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is giving us more than just inspiration for our gardening, as the attending celebrities are pulling out their best looks to inspire our seasonal dressing, too.
While floral print dresses are dominating the dress code, Clodagh McKenna stayed true to her vintage aesthetic when she attended the show earlier this week. Wearing bold pink pinstripes, she paired Penelope Chilvers' Loxley skirt with the matching Evenly blouse by Penelope Chilvers, creating a well-coordinated and bold style. The A-line skirt and tucked-in top created an hourglass silhouette, and Clodagh kept her look weather-appropriate and laidback by adding a longline denim jacket on top.
When it came to accessorising the spring-ready outfit, she added a breezy and effortless feel to her look by slipping into a pair of Penelope Chilvers’ Bella suede sandals, and we also spotted Boden’s raffia moon clutch in the background, which is a fun summer bag that works to add a burst of colour to any look.
Get Clodagh's Effortless Summer Style
Made from 100% cotton for a light, summer-ready touch, Clodagh's midi skirt is a piece that can not only be styled for more elevated occasions with the matching blouse or a white shirt, but also with a casual t-shirt and trainers for a more laid-back style.
With a relaxed, floaty shape that can be left breezy or tucked into waistbands, this blouse opens up endless styling opportunities. The pink tone is so eye-catching, while the stripes break up the bold colour for a more wearable finish.
The warm neutral hue of these Penelope Chilvers sandals makes them a super versatile choice for the summer season, whether you pair them with bold colours like the pink of Clodagh's co-ord or a more casual denim.
If you ran to the Boden website to snap up Clodagh's stunning raffia clutch and found that it's sold out, don't despair. It is still in stock at John Lewis and is even on sale. With multicoloured stripes, it's such a playful accessory for warm-weather dressing.
A denim shirt can really hold its weight in capsule wardrobes, working as a layer to throw on over more elegant styles for a casual edge. That's exactly what Clodagh did with her shirt, rolling up the sleeves to highlight the laid-back look.
Like Clodagh's midi skirt, this one from M&S is made from 100% cotton and has a flattering and easy-to-style A-line shape. With a stunning pink hue and a sleek stripe pattern, it is a perfect piece to dress up or down this season.
When it comes to styling pink, one of the biggest spring/summer fashion colour trends for 2026, Clodagh proves that neutrals can help ground this bright hue. While we might more often lean towards simple black or white, or complementary hues of lilac or green, when it comes to styling pink, neutrals like brown suede and blue denim offer a more laid-back look.
So while plenty of bold shades work alongside pink to create striking colour combinations to make your wardrobe pop, these subtler tones offer a warmer and softer option. Her choice of textures highlighted this, too, with the denim shirt she layered over her blouse bringing in contrasting texture to the elevated co-ord.
In soft suede, her brown sandals added yet more texture to her look and worked to give her outfit a daytime-friendly twist that felt contemporary and cool. Her styling is definitely one to take note of if you’re looking to get more wear out of midi skirts and dresses in your spring capsule wardrobe, and the simple act of layering a denim shirt and adding more casual shoes can increase their versatility.
